Hi. We're experiencing some health issues with our grey squirrel. She isn't legal as she was born after the new EU rules came into force in 2016 so we were unable to apply for a licence for her. Therefore a vet appointment isn't possible and we're flailing around in the dark. I'm hoping that someone can help us get her back on track.
1. She was born late June 2017, orphaned whilst eyes still closed. A very early wet autumn meant that several babies were overwintered at a local rescue (also without a license).
2. Early December 2017 she was suddenly paralysed. MBD. She almost died, was kept in an incubator for weeks and given calcium. Slowly she stabilised.
3. Early February 2018 we adopted her as her rear legs were useless and it was clear she'd never be released. We researched and started dosing her with large doses of calcium, reducing gradually until none given, and changed her full spectrum lamp for one that produced UVB. We changed her diet and became familiar with the calcium/phosphate ratio. She doesn't get monkey nuts or peanuts, just 2 nuts (eg walnut, hazelnut, almond) per day. Veg, fruits, a dried rat block, and safe leaves, branches flowers etc. She gets mixed vitamins every day, but only around a quarter of that suggested for a rodent her size.
4. For around 18 months we did physio on her back legs, and she gained some movement in them, but not enough to raise her belly from the ground.
5. July 2018 we noticed she was dripping blood and her urine was pink stained, at the same time her back legs were spasoming. We assumed water infection as she was drinking lots, with strong smelling urine, treated her for 2 weeks with Baytril, dose for rat of the same size. Spasms and bleeding stopped after a couple of days. This happened again, about 6 months later, treated in the same way.
6. March 2019 she started to bite her foot. April 2019 she started biting her tail and taking the end off, we treated with metacam and taped up her tail. She would still manage to get her tail free some nights and take more off the end. We didn't know whether this was nerve pain and she was regaining feeling in her tail. Eventually, after 2 months she seemed to lose interest in her tail and we were able to free it, she stopped biting it and the fur grew back.
7. December 2019 she started drinking excessively, her urine was pungent and we noticed slight pinkish staining to it, she also lost her rotund belly and was quite slim. Again 2 weeks of Baytril and she seemed ok, belly back to rotund. In the last few days she's started drinking excessively again. Urine not smelly, no blood. We don't think she has kidney stones as she doesn't mind belly tickles. Too much calcium, not enough? Too much vit D, not enough? The symptoms seem to be the same for hyper and hypo. Shes not herself, shes quieter and playing less, she is still playing though at times and appetite seems ok. We just don't know what to do with her. Sorry this is so long but didn't want to miss out something that may be relevant.
Thanks